2006 BC Lions Grey Cup Banner Unveiling

[Rammer]

I doubt that the new banners will be readable from my seats at the opposite end of the stadium. The new divisional championship banner in the same colour scheme isn't readable.

I didn't even recognize the commissioner holding the Grey Cup. I couldn't figure out who was the guy in the suit acting like he had won it himself. It would have been nice to see Carl Kidd holding the Cup instead.

I do know that they were not about to allow Kelly Bates a chance to touch the GC again. :lol:

[Toppy Vann]

Well now the moron on 1040 is on about how bad the ceremony was. CLICK - radio to off. No time for that rubbish.

[TheLionKing]

It would have been nice to see Carl Kidd holding the Cup instead.

As long as it's not Kelly Bates :lol:

[Lionheart]

Well now the moron on 1040 is on about how bad the ceremony was. CLICK - radio to off. No time for that rubbish.

Should he have lied?

[Soundy]

Hmmm, just a couple thoughts...

Yeah, it wasn't the most exciting thing to watch, but they at least put some effort into the production. As far as CFL on-field "ceremonies" go, it wasn't particularly lax... league commish, a few team alumni, some dancing girls... not all that different than any of the Vancouver Giants banner ceremonies I've seen, all in all. They have a lot more open space to deal with, so things tend to look smaller and more spaced out... it's like putting a fancy meal on large plate, vs. using a small plate to make it look more substantial.

And what did everyone expect "raising" the banner would entail? "To the rafters"? You may have noticed, BC Place doesn't have "rafters" to speak of. There are and have never been (that I've noticed) any other banners "hanging" from the dome. It's not like with a hard-domed structure like GM Place and the Coliseum where you can just hang anything you want randomly from it.

I guess everyone was expecting a Superbowl-style halftime show with fireworks and such? Go ahead and tell all those kids who got to run and dance out on the field how lame they were.

[sj-roc]

Hmmm, just a couple thoughts...

Yeah, it wasn't the most exciting thing to watch, but they at least put some effort into the production. As far as CFL on-field "ceremonies" go, it wasn't particularly lax... league commish, a few team alumni, some dancing girls... not all that different than any of the Vancouver Giants banner ceremonies I've seen, all in all. They have a lot more open space to deal with, so things tend to look smaller and more spaced out... it's like putting a fancy meal on large plate, vs. using a small plate to make it look more substantial.

And what did everyone expect "raising" the banner would entail? "To the rafters"? You may have noticed, BC Place doesn't have "rafters" to speak of. There are and have never been (that I've noticed) any other banners "hanging" from the dome. It's not like with a hard-domed structure like GM Place and the Coliseum where you can just hang anything you want randomly from it.

I think people were expecting to see them mounted or at least HELD upright in some fashion -- not just carried out flat like they do with the flag during the anthem, and then, perhaps even worse, carried away out of sight shortly thereafter... for all we know, they're probably packed up in a trunk somewhere right now. I doubt if anyone except possibly people in the upper deck could ever get a good look at them. I certainly couldn't.

From 1995 to the end of 2000, the 64, 85 & 94 banners were suspended from above the centre of the field. Then in 2001, they shifted them all over to the side wall -- straddling the video screen -- when they added the 2000 banner.

I guess everyone was expecting a Superbowl-style halftime show with fireworks and such? Go ahead and tell all those kids who got to run and dance out on the field how lame they were.

I don't think the kids dancing has anything to do with it. What seems to be rubbing everyone the wrong way is that (a) the banners were never displayed in a manner that allowed anyone to get a good look at them and (b) after all the pomp and circumstance, they were whisked away out of view -- like some shameful secret never to be spoken of again. It this had been just a typical midseason halftime show with nothing only those kids dancing, we probably wouldn't be having any discussion.

[Soundy]

I think people were expecting to see them mounted or at least HELD upright in some fashion -- not just carried out flat like they do with the flag during the anthem,

Okay, so how are you going to do that? Put them on a couple flagpoles on the back of a truck? No, really, be logistical about it all for a minute, what's a better SOLUTION?

As it is, a whole bunch of kids got the thrill of getting to carry out the championship banners during halftime... how cool is that for them?

I don't think the kids dancing has anything to do with it. What seems to be rubbing everyone the wrong way is that (a) the banners were never displayed in a manner that allowed anyone to get a good look at them and (b) after all the pomp and circumstance, they were whisked away out of view -- like some shameful secret never to be spoken of again. It this had been just a typical midseason halftime show with nothing only those kids dancing, we probably wouldn't be having any discussion.

Halftime is only so long, ya know. By the time you get everyone out on the field, then allow time for them all to get off again, it really doesn't leave much time to DO anything WITH the banners. What else were they supposed to do other than "whisk them away"? Leave them laying on the field? Roll them up, stick them in an air canon, and shoot them up into the crowd?

If they'd just rolled them out on a flatbed, lifted them to the roof, and made a couple speeches, then everyone would be complaining about the complete LACK of ceremony. Instead they did something that gave a whole bunch of kids a few minutes they'll remember for the rest of their lives. How is this a bad thing?

I don't remember the banners hanging from the roof originally, but then again, I was never at a Lions game in BC Place until sometime well into the 90s. But again, think about the logistics - there are really only two ways to GET them there: either with heavy block and tackle, which then has to STAY there, adding unnecessary weight to the structure; or by deflating the roof and attaching them while it's near the ground. I don't think the fans at the game would really be down with that method.

The block-and-tackle method would also require that the rigging ALREADY be in place, which means it would have to be attached with the dome at least partially deflated. Yeah, it's POSSIBLE, but it's really not very EFFICIENT just for the sake of some pomp and circumstance.

[LFITQ]

Sorry Soundy, but yes I do remember a previous year where they RAISED the banner.

And yes that was the issue. In fact I believe my original post said I liked the alumni and the commmish and the inflatable and the dancers and all that, but I just wanted to see the banner RAISED again. I also believe many agreed with those sentiments.

As for carrying them out, put them on a pole (or two) in the back of a pickup and then people could see them if you weren't going to actually "raise them to the rafters". You put a couple of poles in the back of a pick up and suspend the banner from them and then encircle the field with the banners making sure all 4 "sides" of the field get a chance to view the banners in all of their glory. It's really not much different than you see in most parades.

But here's the bottom line:

At least we have the banner. And next year, with all of our input, they will have the chance to correct their mistakes for the presentation at that time!

[Rammer]

Man you hit that one out of the park with your conclusion.

[Toppy Vann]

Well now the moron on 1040 is on about how bad the ceremony was. CLICK - radio to off. No time for that rubbish.

Should he have lied?

By next year, no one will recall what happened to the banners or even what they were doing when they were escorted onto the field. However, most fans will recall that the Lions were division and Grey Cup champs and remember exactly where they were the day the GC was won in 2006!!!

These clowns like that guy on 1040 last night grab that kind of topic as they simply aren't capable of talking about the sport with any degree of intelligence. Secondly, they are too lazy to line up guests for the various segments they have. I am sure a Lion player like Paris Jackson would have given him a few minutes of his time last evening. They weren't all in bed by 10 pm I suspect.

I'd have preferred him to spend that time interviewing one of the 42 active roster players from that game, a coach, a CEO, an announcer/commentator, Braidwood's dad, an Esk whatever, Rider whatever, or someone from the practice roster, or the trainers and equipment folks or the guys shooting the videos at practice or a spotter and what they do. Give the fans anything to do with a frigging game being played!!!!

I could give a rat's arse about the banner and whether it went up to meet fan expectations or whatever. I prefer to hear about football and I love the player interviews.

What is it with Vancouver fans and their "micro-analyzation" (thanks for the word Geroy Simon) of all things inconsequential to actually playing and winning a game?

Even the Moj last Friday during the Rick Ball show allowed himself to fall into the trap of the Stadium being too hot to go to games. He didn't do it intentionally but it happened. There were two callers who stood out for me. The first was a long-time company season ticket holder who loved the game but won't go to BC Place during summer time as it is too hot. He'd probably not go if its raining either. Then the next guy up says he was at Empire Stadium as a new fan sitting in the Woodward's Quarterback Club (like me) and goes with a large group of fans including today and he has no issues with BC Place over freezing his buns off and getting wet at Empire. Amen to that sentiment!!! I didn't think it was too hot the other night for the Esks game but then again I enjoy warm weather and the sun shine.

Now if this were a concert and fans felt cheated by the lack of entertainment I'd say good for complaining.

No matter what the half time show is many, many fans leave their seats and the place is half full at best. It's a no-win situation for them when they are putting on a show like that.

[Soundy]

Sorry Soundy, but yes I do remember a previous year where they RAISED the banner.

And yes that was the issue. In fact I believe my original post said I liked the alumni and the commmish and the inflatable and the dancers and all that, but I just wanted to see the banner RAISED again. I also believe many agreed with those sentiments.

Still doesn't make it LOGISTICALLY feasible. It's all fine and well to WANT them to do all sorts of things. You could WANT them to sail the banner in on a tall ship... doesn't mean it's going to be workable NOW, even if it has been done in the past.

As for carrying them out, put them on a pole (or two) in the back of a pickup and then people could see them if you weren't going to actually "raise them to the rafters". You put a couple of poles in the back of a pick up and suspend the banner from them and then encircle the field with the banners making sure all 4 "sides" of the field get a chance to view the banners in all of their glory. It's really not much different than you see in most parades.

Well, then you would have had your wonderful vision for a few minutes, instead of all those kids getting the thrill of a lifetime.

But here's the bottom line:

At least we have the banner.

That, I'll agree with.

[LFITQ]

Well, then you would have had your wonderful vision for a few minutes, instead of all those kids getting the thrill of a lifetime.

Seems to be fairly narrow minded to assume you couldn't do both.

You asked how it could LOGISTICALLY be done and I gave you a solution. You could still have the kids out there (who my wife commented on seemed to have better dance routines than the Felions BTW) and also have the banners done in a way which allowed everyone to see them other than the birds in the rafters.

Not sure where you got ANY hint of a notion not to use the kids or even change much of the presentation. Making things up??

If a raising of the banner was LOGISTICALLY feasible in times past, what has changed now? Same building, same time frame, better technology better equipment, more experience. Seems LOGICAL to me that it could have been done LOGISTICALLY.

The ONLY question as to why it couldn't LOGISTICALLY be done is if there is still a situation with regards to the repairs to the roof. And that I would say is probably the main reason considering the main speaker system was not in it's usual middle position on Friday and I did not notice the flags hanging from it as is customary.

But it sure is nice to be able to have this conversation at all!!! And we all want to be able to continue this discussion at this time next year about the 2007 unveiling!!!

[Robbie]

Two years ago, the 22 Edmonton Oilers championship banners (not including the 23rd banner won after the 2005-06 season) were replaced with new identical replicas. The old ones were then auctioned off.



What will the Lions do with their six old banners now that they've all been replaced with new ones? Will they be auctioned off as well? If they will be, then any bidders?

[mrny]

MY opinion I thought they could of at least played " we are the champions" that would of got me out of my seat and instead of having the commish hold the grey cup..( i mean he wasnt even the commish last year) there should of been a player from the 2006 grey cup holding the cup high in the air.... it could of been a fair well to the fans as well..... It should of been carl kidd.... that definately would of gotten people out of their seats.....

[Rammer]

MY opinion I thought they could of at least played " we are the champions" that would of got me out of my seat and instead of having the commish hold the grey cup..( i mean he wasnt even the commish last year) there should of been a player from the 2006 grey cup holding the cup high in the air.... it could of been a fair well to the fans as well..... It should of been carl kidd.... that definately would of gotten people out of their seats.....

A very good point about CK holding that up, purely icing on the cake to the rest of the suggestions here.